Music Makers is a fun playgroup for moms and kids under 5. It’s a great way to introduce kids to music, rhythm, instruments and movement. There are three main parts of the playgroup: 1. Songs and Instruments, 2. Craft, 3. Book and Snacks.

1. Songs and Instruments

While everyone is arriving, play a song that is upbeat and has specific actions associated with it the the kids can do themselves. We use “See Me Run” by Janeen Brady. Another Idea would be Chicken Dance.

Once everyone has arrived and the song has ended, sit in a circle. Begin by singing The Welcome Song singing each child’s name in turn. After the welcome song, spend 10-15 minutes doing fingerplay songs. You can choose these to be of the same theme or they can be whatever you feel like singing. Or you can ask the kids their favorites and do them. That works better with the 3-4 year olds.

Next do a marching song. We use unsharpened pencils as marching sticks. Each child gets two as does the adult leader. Turn on a song with a good beat and march around the room in a circle. We like to march to Mickey Mouse Club March.

After marching we pull out the instruments and do a couple of songs. We have drums, shaker boxes, maracas, clackers, I love Melissa and Doug’s Band in a Box. Again choose songs that have a strong beat. I like Mahna Mahna by Cake on For the Kids.

2. Craft

You can choose to have the craft match the theme of the songs you did in the circle. Or you can have other mothers sign up to be in charge of the craft. Craft ideas include coloring, making paper bag puppets, gluing, stickers, masks, headbands, anything you can think of.

3. Book and Snack

Here is another one that I always have moms sign up to bring. It’s pretty straightforward, they bring a snack to share with everyone and a book to read while they eat the snack. Snack ideas include pretzels, fruit snacks, granola bars, cheese sticks, popcorn. Just make sure you are aware of any food allergies.

After all this, we sometimes pull out rhythm ribbons and move to one more song. Sometimes we do Ring Around the Rosies or London Bridges.